IN THE COUNTY COURT OF POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA

CIVIL DIVISION

CASE NO. _____________________ 

YOU MUST ANSWER IN WRITING AND PAY THE RENT AS REQUIRED

BELOW WITHIN 5 WORKING DAYS OR YOU MAY BE EVICTED WITHOUT

A TRIAL

Plaintiff ,

vs.

Defendant .

_________________________________________________/

RESIDENTIAL EVICTION SUMMONS

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

You are being sued by the Plaintiff to require you to move out of the place where you are living for the reasons given in the attached Complaint.

You are entitled to a trial to decide whether you can be required to move, but you MUST do ALL of the things listed below. You must do them within five (5) days (not including, Saturday, Sunday, or legal holidays) after the date these papers were given to you or to a person who lives with you or were posted at your home.

THE THINGS YOU MUST DO ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Write down the reason(s) why you think you should not be forced to move. The written reason(s) must be given to the County Civil Clerk, 255 N. Broadway, Bartow, Florida 33830.

2. Mail or take a copy of your written reason(s) to the above named plaintiff at the address listed.

3. Give the Clerk the rent that is due (a handling fee will be charged by the Clerk). YOU MUST also pay the Clerk the rent each time it becomes due until the lawsuit is over. (Cash, Money Order, or Cashier's Check ONLY) Whether you win or lose the lawsuit, the Judge may pay this rent to the plaintiff.

4. If you and the plaintiff do not agree on the amount of rent owed, give the Clerk the money that you say you owe, and request in writing that the Court set a hearing to decide how much rent should be posted into the Registry of the Court. You must attach any documentation to support your allegation that the rent as alleged in the complaint is in error.

5. If you are a public housing tenant receiving rent subsidy, you must pay the Clerk that portion of the rent that you are responsible for under the applicable law.

If you do not do ALL of these things within give (5) working days you may be EVICTED without a hearing or further notice.

THE STATE OF FLORIDA

TO EACH SHERIFF OF THE STATE:

You are commanded to serve this Summons and a copy of the Complaint in this lawsuit on the above named Defendant.

 DATED this _____ day of __________________, 199___.

                                                                                                      RICHARD M. WEISS, CLERK

                                                                                                    Circuit & County Courts

                                                                                                    By_______________________________

                                                                                                                Deputy Clerk

Rev. 08/97

10.doc (08/97)